Central & Eastern Turkey Heritage, Private Tour
- 6 Days
- From : Istanbul
- To : Malatya
- Tour
- Guide : English
- Minimum age : 10 Years Old
* This product requests separate payment. Promotion code or coupon from Ticket Here is not applicable.
See some of Turkey’s truly amazing natural and historical wonders in this memorable six-day tour. Enjoy visiting central and south-east Turkey and admiring its fascinating giant statues dating back to 62 BC as well as the captivating troglodyte dwellings and fairy chimneys. Arrive in the beautiful city of Istanbul and continue your adventure in Cappadocia, with the spectacular Goreme open-air museum, the lunar landscape, and the Uchisar rock castle, where you have the chance to enjoy a panoramic view of the valleys below. Afterwards, have a memorable Mount Nemrut experience, before ending your trip in Malatya, a charming city in Eastern Anatolia.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Cappadocia: The Ancient region in central Anatolia, situated on the rugged plateau north of the Taurus Mountains, in the centre of present-day Turkey boasts a lunar-landscape and early Christain churches carved out of volcanic rock.
Mt. Nemrut: Have a breathtaking experience while exploring and admiring Mount Nemrut, an enchanting UNESCO World heritage site and memorial to the Gods and Kings of the ancient world.
Malatya: Explore a large city in Eastern Anatolia, praised for its rich history and delicious apricots.
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Fully escorted by English speaking tour guide
ACCOMMODATION:
- Three nights accommodation in 4* hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- Two night’s accommodation in 4* hotels on room – only basis.
MEALS:
- Three breakfasts
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, Zelve – Pasabag, Avanos, Mount Nemrut, Malatya
TRANSPORT:
- During transfers and tour based on newer air-conditioned vehicles
- Arrival airport transfers.
OTHER:
- All applicable government taxes and fees
- Meet & greet on day 1.
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Drinks/beverages
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Admission fees
- Porterage
- Tips
- Optional excursions and activities.
Please note
- Day 2: Istanbul – Cappadocia flight is not included and our recommendation is to book a flight prior to 7:00 hrs. Recomended flight number TK2010 IST-AST.
- Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
- Optional activity “Pre-night in Istanbul + Full Day Classical Istanbul Tour”: It consists of one extra previous night in Istanbul (client needs to arrive a day earlier the normal tour starts) with full day tour. Day 1 (This day corresponds with Day 1, arrival day in the original tour): The guide will meet you at the hotel reception at 09:00 in the morning. The tour begins with a visit to Topkapi Palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. Here you will see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed. After lunch we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful blue Iznik tiles. This is followed by a visit to the ancient Hippodrome where you will see the Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Afterwards we walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the Yerebatan underground Cistern. At the end of the tour we will have time to see the Grand Bazaar (except Sundays).
What do I need to bring?
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Turkey. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 Istanbul:
- Superior Hotel Category = Dosso Dossi Old Town or similar 4*
Day 2 Cappadocia:
- Superior Hotel Category = Maze of Cappadocia Hotel or similar 4*
Day 3, 4 Nemrut:
- Superior Hotel Category = Euphrat or similar (Rural Standard)
Day 5 Malatya:
- Superior Hotel Category = Hanim Hotel or similar 4*
Cancellation policy
- Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Arrive at Istanbul airport where a representative will meet and greet you before you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, relaxing in the hotel or exploring the surroundings on your own.
Overnight in hotel in Istanbul.
Day 2 : ISTANBUL – CAPPADOCIA (1 HR 20 MINS FLIGHT – TRANSFER KAYSERI TO HOTEL – 70 KM – 1 HR)
Begin your day with an early departure to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Kayseri. Then enjoy a transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia. After checking in, join an exciting tour of the region’s highlights. Visit the mesmerising Goreme Open Air Museum admiring its chapels and churches, carved out of the volcanic rock and filled with awe-inspiring frescoes dating from the 10th to 13the centuries, explore one of the underground cities which proliferate in the area and date back hundreds of years, and climb up to the citadel of Uchisar, a former watchtower offering captivating views of Pigeon Valley named after the hundreds of pigeon houses built on its slopes. Admire, too, the dazzling panorama over the town of Goreme from Esentepe and Cevizlibag. Afterwards, visit the charming Zelve – Pasabag where you will find the most interesting rock formations called ‘fairy chimneys’ as well as the first examples of a monk’s chapel. Stroll the lovely paths of Avanos, the pottery village, where tiles and plates are crafted, using the millennia-old Hittite technique. And if you want more, join one of the delightful optional tours visiting a wine house or seeing a local folkloric performance. Flight to Kayseri is not included.
Overnight in hotel in Cappadocia on bed-and-breakfast basis.
Day 3 : CAPPADOCIA – MOUNT NEMRUT
After a delicious breakfast, adventure into a breathtaking journey towards Mount Nemrut. Located in southeastern Turkey, this is a 2,100m tall memorial to the Gods and Kings of the ancient world. Its summit is decorated with a number of large statues erected in 62 BC by King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene. The statues flank the tomb-sanctuary and apart from the King himself, they are built after images of lions, eagles, and various ancient gods, such as Hercules – Vahagn, Zeus-Aramaz, and Apollo-Mithras. The same statues found throughout the site can also be found on the tumulus at the site, which is 49 metres tall and 152 metres in diameter. The statues appear to have Greek-style facial features but Persian clothing and hairstyling. Meanwhile, the western terrace contains a large slab with a lion, showing the arrangement of stars and the planets Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars on 7th of July 62 BC, probably the year of its construction. In 1987, Mount Nemrut was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You will spend the night at the mountain hotel in Nemrut.
Overnight in hotel in Nemrut on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
Day 4 : MOUNT NEMRUT
Wake up very early and leave your hotel to witness the spectacular sunrise over the stone heads and god statues from the time of King Antiochus. Let the fascinating views amaze your eyes and then, return to the hotel for indulging in a tasty breakfast and spending time at leisure until mid-afternoon when you will begin the second climbing of Mt Nemrut to witness the sunset. Watch the hypnotising sunset from the sanctuary, where the King rests eternally with an escort of gods.
Overnight in hotel in Nemrut on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
Day 5 : MOUNT NEMRUT – MALATYA (95 KM – 2HRS)
Enjoy a rich breakfast at the hotel and leave, driving to the city of Malatya. A human settlement for thousands of years, Malatya is now a large city with an agricultural and textile economy. On your way, visit the 14th-century castle Eski Kale (Arsameia of Nymphaios) and a magnificent third-century Roman bridge at Cendere. Travel through the plains of ancient Mesopotamia, and, right before reaching Malatya, at the foot of the giant Atatürk Dam that tames the Euphrates River, luxuriate in a mouthwatering lunch while admiring the seducing landscapes. Lunch is not included.
Overnight in hotel in Malatya.
Day 6 : DEPART MALATYA
Have an early morning departure, heading towards the local airport to continue with your travel arrangements.